He Finally Saw His Friends Were Feeding His Addiction, but When He Drew the Line, Their Reaction Was Beyond Belief.

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In a hard-fought battle against alcoholism, the Original Poster (OP) experiences the heartbreak of realizing his cherished friendships fuel his addiction. In a moment of self-realization, OP defies his friends’ constant persuasions and decides to cut ties, stepping into an uncertain yet hopeful future.

The Awakening

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OP realizes he’s an alcoholic and needs to change his lifestyle. Despite OP’s friendships being dear to him, he recognizes the negative influence this group has due to their excessive drinking culture. Striving to alter his destiny, OP decides it’s time for a change.

Resistance from Friends

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OP confides in his friends about his struggle with alcoholism and desire to change. He expects them to be fully supportive and looks forward to having dear friends to lift him up during this tough transition.

Pressure Is On

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However, his friends continue to encourage drinking, applying the “one last time” pressure. Each time, OP succumbs, displaying his struggle with addiction. Even though he had made it perfectly clear that he had a problem, they persisted.

The 29th Birthday

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During their 29th birthday, OP is once again persuaded by his friends to indulge in alcohol. This decision brings about regret and sadness, highlighting the toxic cycle he’s stuck in.

Birthday Wish

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As the night goes on, OP grows increasingly intoxicated. OP is not enjoying the birthday evening he had imagined. His disappointment increases and makes for a memorable birthday and one that marks a need for harsher measures to beat alcoholism for good.

The Intervention

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Deciding to take a stand, OP sends a group text to his friends, expressing his long-time struggle to become sober. He expresses disappointment at his friends’ lack of support and expresses how their drinking hinders his life plans.

Backlash

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OP’s friends appear to be indifferent to OP’s suffering. Defending their actions and pressures on OP. Masking drinking is just a way to pass the time and a way to spend time together. This solidifies to OP where his friends stand on this issue.

The Declaration

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Within the same message, OP states his decision to move forward without his friends, as he cannot see them in his future. This firm resolution is both a desperate plea for understanding and a call for necessary self-preservation. The text is sent, and OP awaits the reaction.

The Aftermath

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Calls and texts from the friends begin to pour in, but OP stays resolute and ignores them all. He experiences a sense of relief as if a huge weight has been lifted. However, a creeping sense of guilt also surfaces, leading OP to question if he was too harsh.

The Self-Doubt

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Despite the positive impact of their decision, OP can’t help but question if he was in the wrong. He grapples with feelings of guilt and remorse for possibly hurting his long-time friends. The struggle between self-care and friendship creates a huge mental load for OP.

The Temptation

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One of OP’s friends sends a persuasive message, suggesting a final meetup for closure. This offer tempts OP, making him consider if he could handle one last encounter without falling back into old habits.

The Decision

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OP decides against meeting the friend, realizing it could jeopardize his recovery. Despite the pull of old bonds, he remains strong. The choice is tough but necessary, emphasizing the severity of his fight against addiction.

Hope For A Future

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Although OP doesn’t share what his plans are specifically, he mentions them a lot. OP has very big dreams and is filled with hope with this lifestyle behind him. Sobriety is a life-long battle for most alcoholics, but OP is determined to succeed.

Was Telling Their Friends They Are No Longer Going To See Each Other Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Friends that pressure you to do something they know you don’t want to do aren’t friends.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “As an alcoholic, one of the first things you need to do is accept blame and take responsibility for your actions. If you don’t, you’ll have a hard time staying sober. Unless they were physically holding you down and pouring drinks in your mouth, you have had every opportunity to say no.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person states, “You’re better off without those friends in your life. Block their numbers and follow your dreams.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “For a person who likes to host parties and also drinks, this “forcing,” because it is “socially acceptable” is disgusting and dumb. Whether or not a person wants to drink alcohol is completely on them, and it is nobody’s business to question or disregard those decisions.